Gasoline meter



R. LOSSING;

GASOLINE METER.

APPLLCATlON FILED NOV. 27,1920.

1 114,964. Patented May 2, 1922.

5 SHEETSSHEET I.

R. LOSSING.

GASOLINE METER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 27, 1920.

1 ,414,964;, Patented May 2, 1922.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Mme

R.LOS$NG.

GASOLINE METER. 1

APPLICAHON FILED NOV- 27, 1920.

1,414,9 4, Patented May 2, 1922.

' 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3. jiq.6. IEI'QJZ 702 ma Z9 9A R. LOSSING.

GASOLINE METER.

A P P L l C A T l 0 N F l L D N 0 V 2 7 I 9 2 0. 1,41 4,964. Patented y 2, 1922 5 SHEE TTTTTTTT 5 1 1 .11.

[UNITED- STATES PATENT oFFlcE- I RICHARD LOSSIN'G, OF SOUTH PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T LOSSING MANU- FACTURING- COMPAN'Y, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALL FORIN'IA.

1 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,- RICHARD LossINe, a

. subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at South Pasadena, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gasoline Meters, of -whichthe following is a specification.

It is the object of this invention to. provide a-meter particularly adapted for measuring the fuel consumption of an internal combus-. tion engine. I have shown the invention as appliedto the engine for a motor vehicle, and have describedthis particular embodiment ofthe invention, although it will be obvious that the meter may'be readily em- 'ployed wherever it is desired to measure'the uring the fuel consumption.

It is the object of the invention to provide I I Fig. 2 is a' front'elevation of a portionof theinstrument board of the automobile showing the registering mechanism of the meter 1 I a Fig. '3 is a vertical section through the echanism taken on the line registering I 3-3 of Fig. 2.

,Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4 of Fig.3.

Fig. 5 is a detail section on the line -5-.-5,

of Fig. 4'. a

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line 77 of Fig. 3m I Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section on the line 88 of Fig. 3.

GASOLINE METER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 2, 1922. Application filed November 27, 1920. Serial No. 426,828. I

Fi 9 mechanism.

Fig. 10'is a longitudinal section through the same on the line 10-1O of Fig. 9.

is a plan view of the measuring Fig. 12 is a detailsection on the line 12-12 I of 11. g

Flgs. 13 and 14 are transverse sections on vthe lines 13-13 and 1414 of Fig. 10.

.Fig. 15 isadetail section on the line 1515 of FigflO. Y

Fig. 16 is a detail section on the line 4 16-16 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 17 isa transverse sectionon the line 17--17 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 18-is, a. transverse section on the line 18-18 of Fig. 10. Y V

In I the drawings I have shownan automobile 1 including instrument board 2. The

engine of the automobile is shown .at 3 provided .with .a carburetor 4, and-the usual, vacuum feed tank 5 for the fuel. The

'measuring-device 6 is positioned in the sup ply' pipe8 leading from tank 5 to the carbu-v retor, and the measuring mechanism actuates the registering mechanism 7 mounted upon instrument board 2. .While I have shown the measuring mechanism in a supply pipe leading from a vacuum tank, it will be ,obvious that the device may be as readily employed in a supply pipe to which the fuel is supplied by any system other than a vacuum eed. 7

The 'measuring device in supply pipe 8 includes a reciprocating piston adapted to supply measured charges of fuel to'the carburetor, the reciprocation of the piston actuatingan oscillating member which in turn actuates the registering mechanism. The measuring piston is reciprocated by the sue? ti on through the intake manifold of the englne. I

The specific co nstructi'on of the measuring mechanism includes a tank 10 closed at its respective ends, and .having a transverse partition 11 formingan actuating cylinder '12 and a measuring cylinder 13. The top of the tank is divided from the actuating cylinder by a transverse partition 14 form- 'ing a space 15 adapted to receive the mechanism for" translating the reciprocatoriw ing piston 19 will cause similar movement of measuring piston 20.

The piston 20 as it approaches the lower limit of its movement Will'abut against a lug 22 upon rod 16 for initiating movement of the rod 16 down-' wardly so that said movement of the rodwill complete the downward movement of the piston. A similar lug23 upon .rod 16' is engaged by piston 20 as it subsequently approaches .its upper limit of movement for initiating the return movement of the rod 16 to its first position so asto cause the completion of the cycle of movement of the piston. .After the movement-of rod 16 in opposite directions has been started as thus f described, its movement will be completed through a suitable actuating spring as hereinafter described.

The partition 11 is provided with a trans- 357 verse bore 24 which traverses the axis of the measuring tank, so that rod 16 extends across said bore. At one end this bore terminates in a nipple 25 towhich is connected supply pipe 8 leading from vacuum tank5, and the other end of the bore beyond rod 16 communicates with a bore 30 extending through partition 11 to cylinder 13. above piston 20. The bore 24 before crossing the axis of the .tank communicates with a bore 24 leading'around the axis of the tank to the opposite side of partition 11 where it communicates with a pipe 26 extending from partition 11 to base 18. The pipe 26 coman angle thereto, and this bore communi-- municates, with a bore within base 18 which terminates in a transverse bore 27 communicating with. bore 17. A bore 28 extends frpm the bore 17 at the level ofbore 27 and at cates with the cylinder 13 below piston 20. The fuel discharge from cylinder 13 is provided for by a bore 31 in partition '11 extending from bore 30 to the exterior of the'partition where it terminates in a nipple 32. The supply pipe 8 leading to the carb'uretor is connected to this nipple so that the fuel supplied to the measuring tank throughnipple 25 and-measured by the reciprocation .of piston 20' is then supplied through nipple 32 to' the engine. The space within cylinder 13 below piston 20 com- 46, 48-and 49in the tank is adapted-to shut off and open these bores through its reciprocatory movement. For this purpose the rod is provided with an annular groove 35 adapted to aline with either bore 24 or bore 31 when the rod is moved to its respective limits of movement, and at its lower end the rod is provided with a similar annular groove 36 adapted to aline either with bore 33, or with the bores 27 and 28. The parts are so arranged that when the annular grooves are out of alinement with the bores, the latter are closed by rod 16, but when the annular grooves are alined with the bores, the latter are open for the passage of fuel.

In the upper portion of partition 11 is arranged a transverse bore 40 extending in a nipple 41 projecting from the tank.

.This nlpple is connected by a conduit'42 with the intake manifold 43 of engine 3, so that when the engine is running a suction is created through the conduit 42. The bore 40 communicates with cylinder 12 beyond the axis of the tank as by the bore 44, and adjacent nipple 41- the bore 40 also communicates with a" pipe 45 extending upwardly to the partition 14. This partition isprovided with the transverse bore 46 leading frome pipe 45 and extending beyond the axis of the tank where it communicates with cylinder 12 above piston 19 as by the bore 47. A bore 48 is also arranged in partition 11 so as to communicate with the atmosphere and extend across the axis of the tank beyond which it leads to bore 44. In similar manner a bore 49 is arranged in partition 14 so as to, communicate with the atmosphere and extend across the axis of the tank. Beyond said axis this bore leads into the bore 47.

The rod 16 is adapted to close bores 40,

manner previously described, and the rod is provided with an annular gr0ove50 adapted to aline with either bore 49 or 46 as the rod is reciprocated, and is also (provided with an annular groove 51 adapte -to aline with either bore 40 or 48. By this-arrangement bores 49 and 46 are alternately opened and closed and bores .40 and 48 are also alternately opened and closed as rod 16 reciprocates' The operation of the measuring device as thus described is as follows:

At the beginning of a cycle of operation rod 16 is at its upper limit ofmovement as shown in Fig. 10, and bores 49, 40, 24 and 33 are opened by the cooperating annular grooves of rod 16, while the rod closes bores 46, 48, 31' and 27. Theengine being started a suction is created through. bore 40 so as to create a partial vacuum in cylinder 12 below piston 19, and air entering the cylinder above the piston through bore 49 will cause the piston to be forced downwardly within cylinder 12. This will cause a corresponding downward movement of piston 20, and as a consequence, fuel will be sucked into cylinder 13 above piston 20 through the intake bore 24 and bore 30. When piston 20' reaches lug 22, rod 16 will be started downward and its actuating means to be described will completethe movement of the rod and of the piston, and as a consequence the annular grooves of rod 16 will be moved out of alinement with the respective bores for closing the latter, and will be moved into alinement with bores 46, 48, 31-and 27 for openingthe same. With the parts in this position piston 20 will have reached its lower limit of movement and a measured charge of fuel will have been sucked into cylinder 13 above piston 20. i

The suction throu h nipple 41 is now communicated through pipe 45, bore 46 and bore 47 to the cylinder 12 above piston 19, and at the same time air at atmospheric pressure is admitted to cylinder 12 below piston 19 through bores 48 and 33. As a consequence pistons 19 and 20 will be moved upwardly. The fuel charge within cylinder 13 above piston 20 will be forced outwardly through bores 30 and 31 to the fuel supply pipe leading to the carburetor of the engine, and at the same time a fuel charge will be sucked into cylinder 13 belowpiston 20 through bores 24 and 24*, pipe 26, and bores 27 and 28. As the piston 20 approaches its upper limit of movement, it will engage lug 23- for reversely moving rod 16 and as soon as such movement is started the actuating means for the rod will complete the movement of the rod and piston. When the piston has completed its stroke" the measured fuel charge above the piston will have been completely discharged to supply pipe 8 leading to the carburetor, while a new measured charge will have been sucked into cylinder 13 below piston '2O. "The cycle of operation is now repeated, the measured charge below the piston being discharged through bore 33, and pipe 34 to the discharge nipple 32, so that the charge will be supplied to the carburetor.

'It will thus'be seen that at each reciprocation of rod 16, measured charges of fuel will be supplied to the carburetor, and by counting the reciprocations of the rod through suitable registering mechanism,

graduated in accordance with the volume of tion which is turned in opposite directions each time the rod 16 moves up and down.

- As an instance of this arrangement rod 16 is projected upwardly into space 15 and is provided with an annular groove 54, and a forked arm 55 is positioned with its prongs received at opposite sides of the rod in the groove 54. The opposite end of arm 55 is pivoted in a notch 56 formed in a pipple 57 extending outwardly from the wall of the measuring tank. The pivotal mounting for the arm is so arranged that the reciprocation of rod 16 will swing the arm up and down, and the latter is provided with actuating means for completing the reciprocation of the rod when once started. Forthis purpose a slot 58 is provided in arm 55, and a coil spring 59 is arranged in this slot with one end connected to the arm-and the other end extending within nipple 57 and connected to the end wall of the. same. When the arm is first moved upon its pivot through the movement of rod 16, the spring will be movedto one side or the other of said pivot and will thus urge the completion of the swingof the arm for completing the movement of rod 16.

' One of the prongs of arm 55 is elongated as shown at 60 and engages an arm 61 by being received between lugs '62 upon this latter arm. The arm 61 is fixed-upon a shaft 63 journaled in the casing of the measuring tank, so that movement of arm 55 will oscillate arm 61 and thereby oscillate the shaft 63. A flexible connection shown as a wire 64 is received through the v registering mechanism mounted upon the instrument board of the automobile for actuating the same. The wire may be enclosed within a flexible casing 66 as clearly shown in Fi s. 3 and 11. It will be understood that t is-wire must'be of suitable size, and of suflicient rigidity relative to its length, as to cause said wire to oscillate, and not merely to twist.

v The registering mechanism actuated. by wire 64 comprises a trip registering mechanism adapted to be reset to zero after a trip and a total registering mechanism.

' The registering device is housed within casing 70 closed at its front end by the removable end cap 71. This end cap is provided with an axial opening 72 and with a display opening 73 in the upper portion of the same, and a display opening 74 in its lower portion. Side walls 75 extend within casing 70 from the end cap, said side walls being mounted upon the end cap by means of lugs 76 received through suitable openings therein. These side walls are connected by a rear plate 77, and a bearing 78 is supported 1 by the end wall 77, and the cap 71 with the end of said bearing projecting beyond cap 71 and carrying a disc 79 which overlies a portion of the end cap. This disc is cut away as shown at 80 in alinement with opening 74 and is also cut away as shown at 81 in alinement with opening 73. A transparent plate 82 -may be received between discs 79 and the end cap.

The bearing 78 may be held in position by means of a nut 83 threaded upon the rear end of the same against end wall 77, and a shaft 84 is journaled in this bearing with the end thereof projecting beyond disc 79 provided with a knurled head 85. Shaft 84 projects rearwardly beyond its bearing 78 and a gear wheel 86 is loosely mounted upon the same. A clutch disc 87 is fixed upon shaft 84 beyond the gear 86 as by the cotter pin 88, andleaf springs 89 are interposed between the friction disc and the gear to cause a frictional driving engagement between the gear and shaft. It will be noted that this arrangement also permits of turning of the shaft by grasping its knurled head without causing similar rotation of gear 86.

A disc 90 is mounted upon the rear end of shaft 84 and is provided with lips 91 re ceived in longitudinal grooves 92 formed in said shaft. The dis'cis also provided with cut out lips 93 bent downwardly over a collar 94 received upon shaft 84 between friction disc 87 and the disc 90.

The sleeve 94 is providedwith an annular groove 95 adapted to receive prongs 96 of a'plate 97 which is pivoted between arms 98 extending rearwardly from the respective side wall 75. A spring 99 is interposed between wall 77 and the plate 97 in order to yieldably swing the same toward the rear ofcasing 70. The longitudinal movement of disc 90 and sleeve 94 along shaft 84 is adapted to swing plate 97 in the opposite direction for actuating the registering mechanism.

The disc 90 is provided with radially. extending arms 101 to the outer ends of which are connected arms 102 extending toward the front end of the casing 70. At its for- Ward end an amixlar ring 103 is fixed to' opening 73. The ng is suitably graduated, so that when disc 90 is rotated and the arms 102 and ring 103 are similarly rotated, successive numbers will appear beneath the opening 73. 4

Disc 90 is adapted to be moved along shaft 84 by means of an axially disposed head 10.5

abutting against the disc and projecting outwardly through the rearwall 106 of the register casing. The rear end of this head'- is provided with a transverse groove 107 adapted to receive a wedge-shaped head 108 which is journaled in a suitable bearing 109 pro-" head 105 will move disc 90 and sleeve 94 inwardly along shaft 84 so as to swing plate 97 on its pivot, After inward movement of the parts they are returned to their first position by spring 99 as soon as head 108 is oscillated in the opposite direction. This swinging movement of plate 97 actuates an arm 110 adapted to enga e a ratchet wheel 111 mounted upon a'sha 112 journaled in side Walls 75. Arm 110 engages the ratchet wheel for moving the same as plate 97 swings in one direction. During the reverse sliding movement of arm 110 the ratchet wheel is held against reverse rotation by means of a spring arm 114. The intermittent rotation of shaft 112 as thus accomplished is adapted to rotate gear 86 for which purpose a worm 115 is provided upon shaft 112 and meshing with said gear.

A pinion 116 is also fixed upon shaft 112, and through intermediate gear 117 drives the shaft 118 of any suitable total registering mechanism mounted 1n a casing 119 between sidewalls 75 and adapted to be displayed sponsive to discharging of measured volumes he engine will so-rotate band 103 of fuel to t as to display through its opening in disc 79 the fuel consumption during a trlp'in a predetermined unit such as gallons, and will actuate the total registering mechanism ,so

as to display the total fuel consumptionin'.

the same unit.

When plate 97 is swung upon its pivots as previously described, ratchet wheel 111 is turned through arm 110, and as a consedisc f 87 whic bein v rotate the latter. %isc 90 being .fixed for rotation with'shaft 84 by means of lips 91 received in grooves 92, said disc and arms 101 ear in turn rotates friction will be rotated so as to turn arms 102and quence gear 86 is rotated through worm fixed to shaft 84 will I I the graduated band 103. The trip r'egistering mechanism is thus actuated and. at the end of a trip the graduated band 103 may be reset at zero by turning shaft 84 through its knurled head 85.

At the same time that the trip registering mechanism is being actuated as thus described, the rotation of shaft 112 will actuate the total registering mechanism through the train of gearing connecting the shaft of said registering mechanism and the shaft 112.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a device, wherein the fuel supply to an engine may be accurately measured, the movement of the measuring mechanism controlling a registering device which is provided with a trip register adapted to be reset to zero and with a total registering mechanism. WVhile the construction of the measuring mechanism as above set forth provides for actuation of the measuring piston through the suction in the intake manifold of the en gine, it will be apparent that when the device is employed in connection with an engine having a pressure feed for the fuel, it will not be necessary to positively actuate the measuring piston by suction as above set forth, since when such a system is employed the pressure of the fuel against opposite faces of the measuring piston will be sufficient to actuate said piston.

Under these circumstances the measuring tank may be made without a working cylinder 12, the space 15 being arranged directly above the measuring cylinder 13 with the bores for the measuring cylinder arranged in the'partition between the cylinder and space 15 as previously described. The fuel entering through intake 25 will act against the respectivefaces of piston 20 so as to move the same and reciprocate rod 16 as previously described, andthe movement of the rod will control the measuring means as hereinbefore set forth.

Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. 1

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a liquid supply of measuring means, registering mechanism, and a rotatable flexible connection between said measuring means and said registering mechanism.

' 2. A measuring tank having a reciprocating pump head adapted to draw in liquid from a source of supply and then discharge said liquid to a point of consumption, a reciprocating rod, and cooperating means arranged so that movement of said pump head will initiate movement of said rod, spring means for completing the movement of said I discharge, and registering mechanism actuated by the movement of said reciprocating rod.

4. A measuring tank having a reciprocating piston actuated by suction against the respective faces of said piston, a reciprocating pump head actuated by said piston and adapted to draw in liquid from a source of supply and then discharge said liquid to a point of consumption, and registering mechanism actuated by the movement of said pump head.

5. A measuring tank having a reciprocating piston actuated by suction against the respective faces of said piston, a reciprocating pump head actuated by said piston and adapted to draw liquid from a source of supply and then discharge said liquid to a point of consumption, a member actuated by the movement of said pump head to cause functioning of said liquid inlet and discharge and to cause said suction to be alternately employed against the piston faces. and registering mechanism actuated by the movement of said member.

6. The combination with a liquid supply of measuring means adapted to reciprocate an operating member, registering mechanism, a rotatable member adapted to actuate the same, and a rotatable flexible connection between said reciprocating member and said rotatable member.

7. The combination with liquid measuring means, of registering mechanism including a main shaft adapted to be axially shifted by said measuring means, a rotatable member loosely mounted upon the main shaft, a friction clutch fixed upon the main shaft, means for rotating said rotatable member througl'i the axial movement of the main shaft, said movement engaging said friction clutch with said rotatable member to rotate "said shaft, and counting mechanism actuated by said shaft.

'In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

RICHARD LOSSING. 

